The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-08-19
ADVOCATES OF PEACE.
Resolutions Adopted by the univer-
sal Peace Union.
The Country Advised to Trust It's
Disputes to MedIators.
Military Demonstration at the Con-
stitutionai Centennial DepIored.

NEW LONDON. Conn.,. Aug. 1S.-At the
second days meeting of the Universal Peace
Union, speeches were made by Rev. G. w.
Powell of Herkimer, N. Y, and Miss Oracle
Spencer of Mystic.
The resolutions adopted state the belief
that arbitration and mediation can be made
to do away with war between nations and
strife in the social relations. They heartily
applaud the efforts of the congressman who
presented bills on arbitration and for con
gress of the American republics, and urge
their adoption. They also think the pOliti-
cal parties could strengthen themselves by
accepting these propositions as part Of their
platform. The resolutions hail with special
pleasure the coming to the country of dele
cation from England with memorial in be-
half of peace, of the International Tribunal
OF Arbitration, signed by nearly 200 Tem.
bers of Parliament 1t is urged:
That pacific efforts for the relief of Ireland,
through the recognition OF human rights and the
principles Of justice and freedom will secure for
that country and mankind generally, greater
gains and more peace than could be obtained by
That as the ballot is the peacemaker. its re-
stricions to sex Is unjust and dangerous as Its re-
stricti0n would be to color aud capital
That Indian rights are natural human rights.
and our own recognition OF them through the i'm
piled faith in the treaties, will keep peace with
the Indian race.
That the fisheries question is capable of equita-
Bile and peaceable adjustment with Great Britain
and Canada by wise diplomacy; but, failing In
this. 1t is urged upon the government to submit
the case to arbitration.
priated to the abolition of the war taxation and
for the improvement of the citizens, for holding
congress of nations and for establishing and sus-
tanning courts of arbitration. We appeal to our
coming Congress to defeat all bills looking to ap
preparations for fortifcations and purposes of the
War and Navy Departments.
PHILADELPHIA, August 1S.-The Consti-
tutional Centennial Commission of Phia-
delphia has received an open letter from the
Universal Peace Union protesting against
the participation of the military in the cele-
bration next month. After declaiming
against the injustice done the industrial dis
play by permitting a military pageant, the
letter goes on to say
This bringing together Of fighting men.war-
riors decked In the CANDY habilims pts & OF their their
them-is not in harmony with the spirit and pur-
poses Of the constitution nor of the distinguished
and beloved trainers of that instrument of unity
and concord. Military displays in this country in
time of profound peace, when citizens are busy
with their several callings, viewed even from
military standpoint must always be failures, es.
pecially when brought into comparison with Eu-
rOpean exhibitions. The experience at the last
absence fei Of the people showed how little interest
the citizens Of this commonwealth take in such
displays, and the still more recent failure at
Mount Gretna, are in confirmation of this posi-
tien.
This letter then continues to temper its
severity with a little praise for the zeal of
the commission, but deplores the promi-
nence given that feature which the en-
lightened public sentiment Of the people has
repeatedly condemned and repudiated."
The letter thinks that more regard should be
paid the principles of '.the reverend founder
Of the commonwealth, William Penn"
After quoting a number of authorities, from
DR.. Rush to Congressman Gliding and from
the military, the letter continues:
The military display, therefore, is an offence
against the true advanced sentiment and interests
Of the American people. There has not been a
foreign, war with any nation. remote from AmerL
can soil for three quarters Of century, or civil
war for one-third of that time. Why, then en-
courage this monstrous effort to build up war
system in this country? Why can We not have
celebration of unity, prosperity, and all the other
blessings of the constitution, without forcing
upon an unwilling people display of gaily-
dressed officers and soldiers with Implements of
blood? Why insist on these invidous distinctions
among invited guests?